Physiological and neurological monitoring sportswear

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a physiological and neurological monitoring apparatus that monitors and satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. Further the helmet comprises a facemask for prevent concussions by absorbing the energy from an impact and redirecting the energy across the structure of the helmet shell. The embodiment comprises a helmet shell with elongated cheek guards and an elongated rear neck guard which follows the contour of the user&#39;s shoulder line and continues sufficiently below the head of said user to cover the rear neck of the user. These additions help prevent concussions by providing a larger surface of protection to especially weak areas that are prone to injury such as the rear of the neck and the lower jaw line.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/078,814 filed on Nov. 12, 2014 and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/110,524 filed on Jan. 31, 2015.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates generally to the field of physiological monitoring, and more particularly, to athletic physiological-monitoring and injury-preventive sportswear.

2. Background of the Invention

In contact sports such as American football, injury is relatively common due to the collisions and force of impact between players. In addition to other forms of bodily harm experienced by players, concussions and other forms of head trauma stand out as physical harm that can be especially debilitating and capable of deteriorating a player's health over time if not treated properly. Moreover, although football players are fitted with injury-preventive athletic wear such as helmets, the current helmets are not capable of preventing concussions, entirely due to limitations in the material performance and design of the helmets.

Also, concussions are not readily detectable as the injury is not on the exterior of the body, but rather within the cranium of the injured player. A common occurrence on the playing field of a football game is that a player has a concussion after undergoing a powerful strike to the head and is inaccurately assessed to be in full health. Subsequently, the player returns to the playing field and receives additional strikes to the head, thus increasingly deteriorating the player's physical health at a heightened rate.

Current helmets act as a buffer between the users' skull and an outside object upon collision with that object. Such helmets can disperse the force upon the skull of a player, thus decreasing the chance of concussion, but these helmets cannot eliminate the chance of a concussion entirely. Moreover upon receiving a concussion, current helmets do not have the capability of aiding in the treatment of a concussion by measuring the forces exerted on the helmet or players' or monitoring the players' physiological health.

It would therefore be desirable to have a helmet with improved impact-buffering features from existing helmet designs in order to decrease the likelihood of user-sustained concussions.

It would further be desirable to have a helmet with the capability of monitoring the users' physiological health during use so the user and his or her trainers may be kept abreast of any health concerns that may arise during the helmet's use in gameplay or during training.

Furthermore, it would also be desirable to have a helmet that has the capability of alerting coaches, trainers, referees, and medical personnel of a possible concussion upon impact.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicant in no way disclaims these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

In this specification where a document, act, or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act, or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provision; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of this disclosure is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. The embodiment comprises a helmet shell with elongated cheek guards and an elongated rear neck guard which follows the contour of the user's shoulder line and continues sufficiently below the head of said user to cover the rear neck of the user. These additions help prevent concussions by providing a larger surface of protection to especially weak areas that are prone to injury such as the rear of the neck and the lower jaw line.

Another embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a facemask buffer system that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. The embodiment comprises a facemask, set of guiding rods, and a set of springs, all of which ride within channels built within a helmet. The facemask is attached to first distal ends of a set of guiding rods; each guiding rod is fitted with a set of springs. The other distal ends of the guiding rods are attached to a helmet shell. The system is housed within channels that are built into the helmet shell so as to allow the facemask, guiding rods, and springs to move and absorb the energy of an impact from prescribed angles relative to the helmet. These additions help prevent concussions by absorbing the energy from an impact and redirecting the energy across the structure of the helmet shell. A further addition of a pressure sensor integrated within the buffer system allows for monitoring the amount of force absorbed by the facemask buffer system.

A further embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a chin strap buffer system that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the chin of a helmet user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of a jaw injury. The embodiment comprises a chin guard, an air pouch, a fan, and two straps. The chin guard is shaped to receive the chin of the user. The fan sits within the center of the chin guard and is connected to the air pouch, which sits in the interior of the chin guard. The chin guard has a strap attached to either side and the straps are connected to a helmet shell. The function of the fan is to draw ambient air and supply the air to the air pouch, thereby keeping a constant air pressure within the air pouch. These additions help prevent injury to the jaw or chin of the helmet user by creating an air cushion between the user's chin and the chin guard that is capable of absorbing a direct impact. A further addition of an air pressure sensor integrated within the air pouch allows for monitoring the amount of force absorbed by the chin strap buffer system. Another addition of a tension sensor integrated with one of the straps allows for monitoring the amount of force absorbed by the chin strap buffer system.

A further embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a cranial buffer system that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of concussions and cranial injury. The embodiment comprises a helmet shell, air sleeve, and at least one fan. The fan sits in a helmet shell, which is shaped to protect the skull of its user. The interior of the helmet shell is lined with an air sleeve, which sits in between the skull of the user and the helmet shell. The function of the fan is to draw ambient air and supply the air to the air sleeve, thereby keeping a constant air pressure within the air sleeve. These additions help prevent injury to the skull of the helmet user by creating an air cushion between the user's skull and the helmet that is capable of absorbing impact energy. A further addition of an air pressure sensor integrated within the air sleeve allows for monitoring the amount of force absorbed by the cranial buffer system.

A further embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a cheek guard pad apparatus that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the cheeks and jaw line of a helmet user and the helmet itself. The embodiment comprises a set of two pads, each individually comprised of at least two layers of material. An outer layer is made of a structurally stiff material such as plastic, and an inner layer is made of a softer material such as cloth, foam, memory foam, or gel, among others. This apparatus helps prevent injury to the cheek and jaw line of the user by allowing the helmet to shift with respect to the cheeks and jaw of the user without losing its snug fit around the user's skull.

A further embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a brain monitoring system that satisfies the need for monitoring the physiological health of a helmet user. The embodiment comprises a helmet insert, a set of electrodes, a microprocessor, and digital storage medium. The helmet insert is made of a soft material such as gel or foam so that it sits comfortably between the head of the user and the user's helmet. The helmet insert extends from the forehead of the user to the rear of the user's neck, behind the brainstem. A set of electrodes are embedded in the portion of the helmet insert that is in contact with the forehead of the user. The electrodes are therefore in constant contact with the forehead of the user while the helmet insert is in use. The electrodes are electrically connected to a microprocessor, which is itself connected to a digital storage medium. The microprocessor collects electrical brain activity data from the electrodes and uses specially-adapted software to compile the information and evaluate the health of the user. This data is then stored in the storage medium for later access. The electrodes, microprocessor, and digital storage medium are all embedded in the helmet insert, but are detachable for manual data uploading or downloading. This brain monitoring system allows for the brain activity and overall physiological health to be monitored constantly during the use of the helmet in training or gameplay. A further addition of a transmitter for transmitting data wirelessly to an outside receiver allows for third parties to be alerted of health concerns regarding the helmet user. A further addition of another set of electrodes placed on or near the rear neck allow for brain activity and physiological health data to be collected from the brainstem and/or spine for added data collection. A further addition of a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) screen, electrically connected to said microprocessor, facilitates in the reading of the user's neurological and physiological data. The brain monitoring system may further have speakers electrically connected to said microprocessor so that an alarm or alerting noise may be sounded to the user in the event that the brain monitoring system detects a health concern.

The present disclosure may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore the claimed disclosure should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.

Further, the purpose of the accompanying abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the disclosure of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the disclosure in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask buffer system installed in the interior of said football helmet.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure show a football helmet.

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing facemask buffer system.

FIG. 4 is a side view is an exemplary embodiment in accordance with of the principles of the present disclosure showing facemask buffer system.

FIG. 5A through 5D are different of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a chin strap buffer system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask on the exterior of said football helmet.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet without a facemask buffer system.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask and a cross section of the exterior of said football helmet.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a cross section football helmet and removable brain monitoring electrode.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet with camera.

FIGS. 11A-11B are perspective views of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a set of cheek guard pads.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing said cheek guard pads with monitoring system.

FIG. 13 is a front cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask buffer system installed in the interior of said football helmet.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask on the interior of said football helmet.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a brain monitoring system.

FIG. 16 is a rear cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a brain monitoring system and its relative position to a user's head and neck.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a brain monitoring system and removable front and rear brain monitoring electrodes.

FIG. 19 is a is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a brain monitoring system with reference to its position on the skull of a user.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

FIG. 22 is a rear view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

FIG. 26 is a front view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet without a facemask buffer system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the summary above, in the description and appended claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the product in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the disclosure, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the disclosure, and in the disclosure generally.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, structures, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or van contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components or structures.

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40% means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)−(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm, and whose upper limit is 100 mm.

The term “mechanical features” is used herein to mean features of a component, mechanical or geometric, which have a functional purpose of attaching or linking that component to one or more other components with compatible or corresponding mechanical features. An example of a mechanical feature is a slot in a component, where said slot is designed to accept a tab from another component and the union of the slot and tab from the two components effectively links, attaches, fixes, and/or locks the components together. The term “mechanical features” refers to, but is not limited to: hooks, hook and loop fasteners, slot and tabs, all male and female fasteners, screws, bolts, nuts, holes that have been tapped, latches, pins, etc.

While the specification will conclude with claims defining the features of embodiments of the disclosure that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the disclosure will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

As show in FIG. 1 the present disclosure is directed to a preferred embodiment in the form of a football helmet 100 comprising: a molded shell 110 having a cavity 120 formed in the lower portion thereof for receiving a user's head 130, said shell 110 formed to have an elongated extension 140 that covers the rear neck 150 of said user. A face mask is attached by mechanical mechanism, such as energy absorbers. The helmet 100 comprises an elongated portion 160 that extends to cover the jaw 170 of said user. The helmet comprises a facemask 210 and a mechanically attached to the football helmet 100 having a front side 101 and rear side 102 wherein said front side 101 has an opening for a user's face and said rear side 102 covers said user's rear 180 of head.

Referring to facemask buffer system 200 on FIGS. 2-4, the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a facemask buffer system 200, wherein said facemask buffer system 200 comprises: a facemask 210 mechanically attached to the football helmet 100, at least two channels 220 formed within said football helmet 100 that run from said front side 101 and towards said rear side 102 of said football helmet 100; at least two guide rods 230, each having a first 231 and second distal end 232 wherein said first distal end 231 is attached to said facemask 210 and second distal end 232 moves freely within one of said channels 220 thus allowing each said guide rod 230 to translate longitudinally through its respective said channel 220; at least two springs 240, each spring 240 having a first and second distal spring end wherein said first distal spring end is in contact with said facemask 210 and second distal end is in contact with said football helmet 100, each spring 240 is concentric around one said guide rod 230 and compresses and extends according to said guide rod's 230 translational movement along said channel 220.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is in the form of a facemask buffer system 200, wherein each said guide rod 230 has more than one spring 240 concentrically around itself and each said spring 240 has a different spring 240 constant from the other springs on particular said guide rod 230.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2-4, is in the form of a facemask buffer system 200, further comprising an electromechanical sensor 250 located between one distal spring end of said spring 240 and said facemask 210 or said football helmet 100, said electromechanical sensor 250 being able to gather data regarding compressive forces sustained by said spring 240.

Referring to FIGS. 5A through 5D, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is in the form of a chinstrap buffer system 300, the system comprising: a chin guard 310, having an inner side 311 thereof for receiving a user's chin 190, an outer side 312 opposite to said inner side 311, and a hole 320 that extrudes from said outer side 312 to said inner side 311; a micro-electronic fan 330, embedded in said hole 320; an electromechanical air pressure sensor 360 integrated with said air pouch 340, secured to said inner side of said chin guard 311 and having an opening coinciding with said hole 320 for receiving a flow of air from said fan 330; and at least two straps 350, each said strap having a distal first end 351 and a distal second end 352 wherein each said first distal end 351 is attached to said chin guard 310 and each said second distal end 352 is attached to a football helmet 100. Further said electromechanical air pressure sensor 360 gather data regarding air pressure within said air pouch 340.

In an alternative embodiment a chinstrap buffer system 300, further comprising an electromechanical sensor attached to either distal end, 351 or 352, of at least one of said straps 350, said electromechanical sensor being able to record data regarding tension forces along said strap 350.

The present helmet further comprises a cranial buffer system 400, as shown in FIGS. 6-10, wherein said cranial buffer system 400 comprises a football helmet 100, having an inner side 103 thereof for receiving a user's head 180, an outer side 104 opposite to said inner side 103, and at least one hole 410 that extrudes from said outer side 104 to said inner side 103; at least one micro-electronic fan 420, embedded in said hole 410; and an air sleeve 430, secured to said inner side 103 of said football helmet 100 and located between said football helmet and said user's head 180, having a first opening coinciding with said hole 410 for receiving a flow of air from said fan 420, and having a second opening 450 near user's rear neck 150 for air escape. Further the cranial buffer system 400 comprises an electromechanical air pressure sensor 460 integrated with said air sleeve 430, said electromechanical air pressure sensor 460 being able to gather data regarding air pressure within said air sleeve 430.

Referring to FIGS. 11A through 12, also shown in FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is in the form of a cheek guard pad 500 comprising: an outer layer 510 made of a structurally rigid material; and an inner layer 520 made of a soft material, said inner layer 520 is bonded or attached to one side of said outer layer 510.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a brain monitoring system 600, as shown in FIGS. 13-18 wherein the brain monitoring system comprises a football helmet 100, having an inner side thereof for receiving a user's head 180; a helmet insert 610, located between said football helmet 100 and said user's head 180, made of a soft material; at least one electrode 620, located on the surface of said helmet insert 610 and positioned on said helmet insert so as to have physical contact with the forehead of said user and rear neck 150 of said user, said electrode 620 being able to gather data regarding said user's electrical brain activity; a microprocessor 630 electrically connected to each said electrode 620; and a digital storage medium electrically connected to said microprocessor 630. Further the brain monitoring system 600 comprises a transmitter for transmits data wirelessly to a receiver, said transmitter electrically connected to said microprocessor 630. In an alternative embodiment a brain monitoring system 600, further comprises a digital display, said digital display being electrically connected to said microprocessor 630 and/or a speaker electrically connected to said microprocessor 630.

In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure in any way, except as set forth in the claims. FIGS. 19-26 clearly pointed out the inner and outer structure of the helmet as explained above. The apparatus is directed to satisfy the need for a brain monitoring system in combination with a buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. The use of elongated cheek guards, as shown in FIG. 24, and an elongated rear neck guard, as shown in FIG. 19, which follows the contour of the user's shoulder line and continues sufficiently below the head of said user to cover the rear neck of the user 130. The configuration assists to prevent concussions by providing a larger surface of protection to especially weak areas that are prone to injury such as the rear of the neck, chins and the lower jaw line.

The disclosure is not limited to the precise configuration described above. While the disclosure has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject disclosure will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this disclosure after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by this disclosure as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentable distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art. 

1. A helmet comprising: a molded shell; wherein said molded shell comprises a front side, a rear side, cavity, a back elongated extension and a side elongated portion; wherein said cavity is formed in a lower portion of said molded shell for receiving a user's head; wherein said back elongated extension extends and covers the user's rear neck; a inner shell surface; a facemask buffer system, wherein said facemask system comprises a facemask and an impact absorbing mechanism; a chinstrap buffer system, wherein said chinstrap buffer system comprises a chin guard and at least two straps mechanically coupled to the inner shell surface; a cheek guard pad, wherein said cheek guard pad is configured to be located between the user's head and said inner shell surface; a cranial buffer system, wherein said cranial buffer system comprises an inlet, an outlet, at least an air sleeve, at least a first fan, wherein said inlet comprises a first opening in said molded shell that provides access to air from outside the molded shell into said air sleeve and said outlet comprises a second opening in said molded shell that serves as an air escape; and a brain monitoring system, wherein said brain monitoring system comprises a plurality of sensors in contact with the user's head.
 2. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said first fan assists with the air flowing from outside the molded shell into said air sleeve.
 3. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said cranial buffer system comprises an electromechanical air pressure sensor.
 4. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said absorbing mechanism comprises: at least a first channel and a second channel; at least a first guide rod and a second guide rod, wherein each rod comprises a first distal end and a second distal end; at least a first elastic member and a second elastic member, wherein each elastic member comprises a first elastic distal end and a second elastic distal end; wherein said first distal end is attached to the facemask and the second distal end is inside at least said first channel; wherein said first elastic distal end is attached to said facemask and the second elastic distal end is attached to the inner shell surface; and wherein said first elastic member is concentric around said first guide rod.
 5. The helmet as in claim 4, wherein the first elastic member comprises a spring.
 6. The helmet as in claim 4, wherein the first elastic member comprises at least a set of springs, wherein each spring comprises a different spring constant.
 7. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said absorbing mechanism comprises at least an electromechanical sensor.
 8. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an electrode.
 9. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said chin guard system comprises an air pouch including an opening.
 10. The helmet as in claim 9, wherein said chin guard system comprises a first hole and a first fan, wherein said opening receives air from said first fan. 